Morocco's king pledges to give up some of his power

Moroccan King Mohammed VI pledged Friday to build a constitutional monarchy with a democratic parliament. In a televised address, the king detailed a new constitutional that would devolve some of his power to the prime minister and parliament.

He said voters would be able to vote for the changes in a July referendum.

The proposals come on the heels of nationwide demonstrations that started in February, inspired by popular uprisings that toppled the autocratic rulers of Tunisia and Egypt.

The 47-year-old monarch, who took the reins of the Arab world's longest-serving dynasty in 1999, holds essentially all power in the north African country, where he also serves as the top religious authority - a position he won't relinquish.

New rules

The final draft of the reformed constitution would mean a "government emerging through direct universal suffrage," King Mohammed said Friday.

Demonstrators have denounced corruption, demanded better civil rights anda new constitution

The draft explicitly grants the government executive powers, although the king would retain control over the military and select the prime minister from the party that wins the polls.

The prime minister would be rechristened "president of the government" and given the "power to dissolve parliament," which was previously the king's prerogative. 

The prime minister would also be allowed to fire ministers and nominate ambassadors or directors of public companies for the king's approval.

King Mohammed VI also pledged an independent judiciary and said the proposals would "consolidate the pillars of a constitutional monarchy."

Is it enough?

Many hailed the promised reforms as ushering in democratic change.

Driss Lachgar, the minister in charge of relations with parliament, called the draft "a real revolution and laid the foundations for a parliamentary monarchy."       

However, not everyone is satisfied with the proposed changes.

Activist Najib Chawki said the reform "does not respond to the essence of our demands which is establishing a parliamentary monarchy. We are basically moving from a de facto absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy."

Her group, the February 20 Movement, has called for the creation in Morocco of a parliamentary monarchy, an end to the influence of the king's inner circle, the dismissal of the government, and for trials of officials and businessmen it has accused of corruption.

The movement said it will press ahead with protests it has planned for Sunday.   

Author: Sarah Harman ( dpa, AFP, Reuters)
Editor: Kyle James